$211bn travel sector gets own event

Reed launches the first large-scale B2B travel event dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.

The biggest international B2B travel industry event dedicated to the lesbian, gay and transgender community is being launched, due to be held at the Saatchi Gallery in London in June.

The UK-based travel and tourism event organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions says the inaugural Proud Experiences event for LGBTQ+ travel – a sector now valued at over US$211 billion – will take place on June 6-8.

Exhibitors that have signed up so far include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Visit Malta, the region of Valencia, Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, Peninsula Hotels, Principal Hotels, SET Hotels, Soneva, The Muse Collection, Corinthia London, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, AVRA Tours, Belmond, The Curtain, ME by Melia, Nobu Shoreditch and One Fine Stay.

International buyers focused on booking travel for their LGBTQ+ clients will be attending from all over the world with agencies such as Zoom Vacations, Out of Office, Frosch, PHD Travel, Bon Vivant and Superviagem confirmed to attend.

Dealing with the attitudes, challenges and opinions that face same-sex couples and bisexual and transgender travellers will be at the heart of a “masterclass” series of workshops, presentations and debates open to buyers and suppliers.

Range of themes
Some of themes include servicing the LGTBQ customer with insights from some of the best travel brands who have excelled in this area; lessons on marketing to LGTBQ customers from brands outside of the travel industry; transgender travel; emerging markets; the Asian market; and new travel products aimed at the sector.

“As the world’s biggest creator of travel industry events and exhibitions, we were not surprised when research confirmed that it’s time to pay attention to LGBTQ+ markets as they grow exponentially every year,” said show director Gareth Baguley.

“We hope this show will break down the barriers that sometimes make it difficult to ask those all important questions about LGBTQ+ travel. By bringing the world’s biggest tourism brands, destinations, products and services together with highly qualified buyers from the biggest source markets around the world – not only do we plan to provide an environment to do great business but to help this burgeoning industry mature even further.”